how to protect eyes from eye flu - #18242
I am really worried about my eyes lately. I remember last week when my coworker came into the office with what they called eye flu. At first, I didn't think much of it, but then a couple of days later, I started feeling this weird itchiness, like my eyes were getting dry, and it was driving me insane! I don’t really know much about eye flu, but I’ve been reading about it online, and there are so many things saying how contagious it is. Now I’m stressing, thinking I might catch it. I mean, how do I even know if it really is eye flu? Everything started when I drank from their water bottle, and now I’m paranoid about touching my eyes or using my contacts. Can anyone help me understand how to protect eyes from eye flu? I've washed my hands constantly and stopped wearing makeup, but I feel like that’s not enough. Do I need to avoid sitting too close to people or just go full hermit mode? Also, would glasses help more than contacts? I know this might sound a bit extreme, but I'm just really concerned! Like, more I read, the more questions pop up. What are the best practices or tips on how to protect eyes from eye flu that I can start doing right NOW? Thanks in advance!
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Doctors' responses
To protect your eyes from what’s commonly referred to as “eye flu”—more accurately known as viral conjunctivitis—there are several practical steps you can take. It’s indeed very contagious, typically spreading through direct contact with infected secretions or through contaminated objects. Given your exposure and concerns, maintaining strict hand hygiene is crucial. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If you’ve already started doing this, keep it up, especially before touching your face or handling contacts.
Avoid sharing personal items like towels, eyewear, or makeup, as these can be vehicles for infection. It’s wise to also wash bed linens and pillowcases regularly in hot water to eliminate any viruses present. Since you’ve mentioned using contact lenses, switch to glasses if possible, at least until the risk subsides. Contacts can trap viruses against your eyes and could contribute to the spread if handled with less sanitized hands.
Staying home when symptoms occur is also effective to limit spread. If you suspect you have viral conjunctivitis, consider wearing glasses as a barrier and to avoid touching your eyes as much. Cleaning surfaces, particularly those shared like doorknobs or light switches might help reduce the risk of spreading or contracting the virus. Similarly, avoid close interaction with individuals displaying symptoms of viral conjunctivitis during an outbreak.
Identifying “eye flu” from other conditions can sometimes be challenging without professional input. Common symptoms include redness, irritation, watering, and sometimes a discharge from the eyes. If you experience these symptoms, it’s not excessive to seek professional input, especially if they accompany fever or intense discomfort. An eye specialist or general practitioner can evaluate your symptoms thoroughly and suggest treatments appropriately if needed, although viral infections often resolve on their own within a few weeks. If eye pain, vision changes, or sensitivity to light occur, medical evaluation becomes more urgent to rule out any other serious problems.
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